Henry West

Henry Skinner West
Born 1870
Died 1961
Occupation Principal, Maryland State Normal School
Baltimore Superintendent of Schools

Henry Skinner West (1870–1961) was the fifth principal of Maryland State Normal School (now Towson University).

West was Maryland-educated and graduated from The Baltimore City College, the third oldest public high school in America, founded 1839, and a part of the Baltimore City Public Schools. He earned both his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees from The Johns Hopkins University (then at its downtown North Howard Street at West Centre, Little Ross and West Monument Streets, campus) both in the City of Baltimore, Maryland. West possessed had an impressive academic background, teaching at all levels from primary to college. He also served as principal of the Western High School, one of two twin all-female secondary schools in Baltimore, Maryland, the oldest in America, founded 1844 (with its twin Eastern High School) In 1917, Dr. West was appointed to serve as principal of the Maryland State Normal School, founded in 1866, then recently relocated to Towson, Maryland, the county seat in suburban Baltimore County, just north of the City (later renamed Towson University). During his tenure, the M.S.N.S. faced some of its most difficult times. enrollment dropped severely due to World War I and the recruitment of millions of soldiers for duty, funding for the School was inadequate, dormitory space was insufficient, and pay scale for teachers was poor. In 1920, West left his position as Principal to become the Superintendent of Schools in Baltimore. He held this position for five years and in 1926 went to the University of Miami in Florida to become its first Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. As Principal of the Normal School, Dr. West initiated an enrollment campaign to attract more students, reorganized the school's administration, introduced the first summer session in 1918 and was instrumental in getting the State to adopt a system of teacher certification.

Preceded by
Sarah Richmond		 Towson University principal
1917-1920 		Succeeded by
Lida Lee Tall
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